QB Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins are seeking a breakthrough season in 2013. / Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports

by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

DAVIE, Fla. - Ryan Tannehill knows that for the Miami Dolphins to achieve a playoff leap year, it is up to him to emerge from the shadows of Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson.

Tannehill's dazzling 2012 quarterback draftmates guided their teams to the playoffs last season, reaching club and league records along the way, while Tannehill was somewhat forgotten in all the clamor.

The eighth overall pick last year, Tannehill showed flashes by throwing for 3,294 yards and 12 touchdowns but also 13 interceptions. But only three of those scoring shots went to wide receivers, so Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland and coach Joe Philbin dedicated a headline-grabbing free agent shopping spree to upgrading Tannehill's targets. The prize catch was $60-million deep-threat Mike Wallace, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Throw in seam-stretching tight end Dustin Keller and slot receiver Brandon Gibson - not to mention the re-signing of wideout Brian Hartline - and Tannehill has plenty of weapons and no excuses.

"We definitely have everything to be a playoff team - this team will go as far as I can take it," Tannehill told USA TODAY Sports after Tuesday's opening practice of a three-day minicamp. "I'm excited because we have all the pieces to the puzzle.

"Now it's just a matter of putting it together. You have to put in the time, put in the effort and really develop that chemistry needed to show up on Sundays."

Such cohesion was tough to come by for Tannehill in 2012.

"I definitely feel I could have played better," he said of his rookie campaign. "It didn't hurt my feelings at all that those guys (Luck, RG3, Wilson) got more attention. I respect those guys, their game and was happy for them. ... They made the playoffs and were in the hunt.

"But I definitely want to improve my game this year."

Philbin and offensive coordinator Mike Sherman have spiced in some read-option plays popularized by RG3, Wilson and emerging San Francisco 49ers star Colin Kaepernick to take advantage of Tannehill's mobility. After all, he played wideout for Sherman at Texas A&M before converting to quarterback for the final 19 games of his collegiate career.

"We'll do a little read option," Tannehill said. "It won't be a pillar of our offense. But the way NFL offenses are evolving, if you have the ability to do it, it's a good wrinkle to have to keep people on their toes."

Former Indianapolis Colts vice chairman Bill Polian was impressed while scouting Tannehill before last year's draft, convinced the 6-4, 222-pound signal caller had everything needed to be a star. Now there's even more to like given the offensive additions around the sophomore passer.

"For the first time in a long time, the Patriots have a legitimate challenger in that AFC East division," Polian said. "This is a good, young football team. ... I think you'll see continued improvement with Ryan. Those of us who thought he was a big-time quarterback coming out weren't surprised by what he did last season.

"The biggest jump a player makes is in Year 2."

It's easy to forget that at this time last year, Tannehill was third on the depth chart behind David Garrard and Matt Moore, his head swimming like the Dolphin logo on the side of his helmet.

"It's night and day compared to last year, just the confidence, the knowledge of the game, what's going on," Tannehill said. "I still have a lot of work to do. But I'm comfortable with where I'm at and where this team is at."

He spent five days working with former NFL quarterback and IMG Academy mentor Chris Weinke in February.

"He's that franchise type quarterback you build your team around who is going to continue to climb," Weinke said. "I just truly believe he's going to do great things down there in Miami."

Recently retired Garrard spent time with Tannehill last month at the charity golf tournament hosted by ex-Dolphin and current Kansas City Chiefs tight end Anthony Fasano in New Jersey. Garrard views Tannehill as a talented, hard-working leader who is the primary reason why the Dolphins believe they have a playoff chance.

According to Garrard, Tannehill has nearly everything Tom Brady has - including a model wife and a strong, accurate arm. But Tannehill is obviously lagging in two major categories: experience and those three Super Bowl rings.

"Tom Brady is getting up there in years," Garrard says of the soon-to-be 36-year-old New England Patriots quarterback. "I would say Ryan is the next guy to take over that position in the AFC East. ... Ryan is going to be great. He definitely has a chance to be a fabulous quarterback in this league.

"He has a great arm and has great command of that offense. He came across as a 10-year veteran last year when he took command in an offensive meeting, and (then) he started barking out things to veterans and coaches. ... I'm really looking forward to watching his career unfold."

So is Wallace, who says Tannehill has what it takes to become a championship-caliber quarterback in the mold of his former Pittsburgh Steelers teammate, Ben Roethlisberger. Wallace was impressed with how Tannehill called his receivers, tight ends and running backs together for two weeks of impromptu throwing sessions before Miami's organized team activities in May.

"We're still getting a feel for each other," Wallace said. "Sometimes I underestimate his arm. He can throw as good a deep ball as anybody in the league. As long as he keeps working, he'll take us where we hope.

"He's a real cool guy, real laid back, and he's working hard to get better. I really like that about Ryan."

As Tannehill acknowledged after an erratic practice when Sherman's intent was to increase the offensive pace and tempo, this new era in Miami is still a work in progress. But there are plenty of reasons to believe, beginning with a more confident, decisive Tannehill.

Could his touchdown pass total jump from 12 to 24?

"Adding the speed we added to vertically stretch the field, I'd like to see our numbers dramatically increase," Tannehill said. "I'm not going to throw out numbers. But it will definitely be higher."

Those numbers need to increase significantly for the Dolphins to push the Patriots fulfill their splashy offseason expectations.